Ford Freestar Problems by Year
NHTSA has 2,533 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Ford Freestar, across 4 model years (2004–2007). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (1,227). The most reported problem area overall is power train.
Ford Freestar years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Freestar year: 2004, 2005. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 Freestar: 1,227 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2005 Freestar: 886 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2006 Freestar: 356 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford Freestar problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 1,819 | 4 | 11 |
| Electrical System problems | 248 | 4 | 3 |
| Engine problems | 157 | 4 | 3 |
| Structure problems | 136 | 4 | 1 |
| Seats problems | 121 | 4 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 101 | 4 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 97 | 4 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 66 | 3 | 2 |
| Steering | 52 | 4 | 2 |
| Suspension | 41 | 4 | 1 |
| Wheels | 30 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 26 | 4 | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 25 | 3 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 23 | 4 | 4 |
| Visibility | 23 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 22 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 19 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 14 | 4 | 3 |
| Traction Control System | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Ford Freestar problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2006: power train (254)
- 2005: power train (677) · electrical system (85) · engine (53)
- 2004: power train (851) · electrical system (118) · structure (94) · seats (86) · engine (69)
All Ford Freestar model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Freestar | 64 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 Freestar | 356 | 2 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 Freestar | 886 | 3 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 Freestar | 1,227 | 4 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Freestar years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2004 (1,227), 2005 (886) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Freestar year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford Freestar?
Power Train, with 1,819 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford Freestar have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.